Salomon X3 130 CS Ski Boots 2012

Salomon X3 130 CS Ski Boots 2012: The construction of the World Cup model built with a more comfortable last shape and the latest Salomon fit technology Custom Shell make the Salomon X3 130 CS the ultimate ski boot, even if you have a wider foot you can still get a taste of World Cup performance. The Salomon X3 130 CS Ski Boots feature a 130 flex and 98mm last that can be expanded up to 104mm so that you can get a boot fit that is as unique as your feet.

Materials

PU Ether lower shell and PU Cuff: PU Ether is a high end PU that provides more rebound to the boot when used with a high level of constraints, like in World Cup Race for example.

World Cup Claw Strap to ensure max transmission while allowing no elasticity to the strap

Custom Shell forms around your exact foot shape.

World Cup Advanced Shell Technology is a more powerful version of the Advanced Shell Technology with improvement on the back support, the body positioning into the boot and the torsion control of the boot - designed to maximize power transfer from the skier to the ski.

4 micro Titanium buckles that adjust the length of the buckles for a precise closure

3D Buckle to choose from 3 different positions of the instep buckle for max customization

Cuff Shape

A reinforced rear, lateral insert enables the use of a softer front cuff for improved leg wrapping and progressive flex.

Backbone Magnesium piece linking the upper cuff to the lower shell provides back support for better rebound coming out of the turn (rebound effect) and enables a progressive but powerful forward flex.

Flex and Fit

A 130 flex provides support to top level, expert skiers that push their limits. This power and precision is now available with a custom shell that forms perfectly to you, allowing for a last that expands from its original 98mm to 104mm.

Specs

Ability Level:Advanced-Expert

Advanced-Expert

Whether you charge the steepest lines, carve with race-like precision, hit the biggest jumps or halfpipes; advanced to expert level skis/snowboards are for the more aggressive rider. You will often find the addition of layers of metal, carbon, bamboo, or other stringers in these. These features work to make a stiffer ski/snowboard with more power and rebound.

I bought the Salomon X3 130 CS boots downsized one full-size from my normal shoe size (26.5 to 25.5) for more of a performance fit. They will replace my aging downsized, custom-fit Nordica...Read complete review

I bought the Salomon X3 130 CS boots downsized one full-size from my normal shoe size (26.5 to 25.5) for more of a performance fit. They will replace my aging downsized, custom-fit Nordica Dobermann Pro 130s-- both of which cracked on a very cold day after about 6 years (~45 days/year) of use. I haven't skied on them yet, so I can't comment on their on-mountain performance, but after reading some of the other reviews here, I thought that I might be able to provide some helpful information to prospective buyers, based on my trying them on about 3 times and examining them.

The shells seem to be constructed very well and are made of a hard plastic (not a soft plastic like you'll find on many transparent boots).

The liners seems to be VERY high quality with an imitation leather-like cuff and just the right amount of shock-absorbance in the shin. It seems to be the highest quality liner that I've ever had in the last 30+ years of skiing. They seem like they'd be of average warmth-- and certainly a lot warmer than my cold, sock-thin Dobermann liners.

Having put a Salomon X3 130 CS on one foot and a Dobermann Pro 130 on the other foot and flexing them, I'd say that they both felt equivalent in flex-- which is good if that's what you're looking for. I'm a 52-year-old 45-day-per-year, Squaw Valley pass holder who skis very aggressively almost exclusively on the steeps, whether bumped or not. I prefer that kind of stiff flex to control the skis-- though it's not for everybody as it can result in some shin bang.

The shells seems very durably constructed. There are Allen-wrench-adjustable canting adjustments at the ankles. The boots come with optional inserts (and bolts) for forward-camber, heel lifters, and (I think) forward-flex stiffeners. The buckles are very adjustable and easy to use. The Velcro shin strap has a strap-clamping spring-loaded "buckle" that is a bit harder to use than Velcro. However, based on the fact that I've owned a set nearly identical, perfectly-working roof-rack tie-down straps for 25 years, and based on the fact that the Velcro on my 6-year-old Nordica Dobermann boots barely sticks anymore, I can pretty much guarantee superior longevity of the Salomon straps.

Boots are a personal thing and a boot shape that works for one person's foot and calf shape, may not work well for another person's foot and calf shape. I have a pretty standard foot width & shape, with a calf-shape that is more ham-shaped than baseball-bat shaped. The following comments are therefore relative to my foot & calf shape.

Some reviewers complained that these boots are too tight around the calf-- and for me they were, but ONLY if you leave the buckles attached in their mid-range holes. The upper two pairs of buckles can be (unbolted) and moved to any of three sets of holes in the shell. By default they're in the middle set of holes-- which were too tight for my calves. Once I moved the buckles to the looser set of holes, the boot cuffs fit my calves nicely.

For the last 16 years or so, I've perennially gotten terrible toe-bang from my appropriately-sized Nordica Grand Prix boots and my downsized, custom-fit Dobermanns-- bruising if not losing my big toenails-- even though I've always had custom-orthotic foot beds. (I just tried on a pair of Nordica Girish Pros and had the same problem.) However, the Salomon X3 130 CS boots hold my foot so snugly in place that I can't really move my foot forward and jam my big toe into the shells. I'm really hopeful that my big toenails will remain pink this year.

Unlike any of the three aforementioned Nordica's I get no heel lift with the Salomon X3s. The heel pocket in the shell and liner work nicely to keep my foot secured snugly to the foot board. Should be nice.

The Salomon X3s are supposed to be heat moldable but I'm not sure that I'll bother since they already fit so well.

I'm not thrilled about the white color but it's not as bad as I thought, and they're kinda cool in a Star Wars stormtrooper sorta way. Anyway, for this kind of fit and quality, I can live with any color boot... except maybe pink.

For expert/race oriented skiers with wide forefoot and narrow heels, this boot makes boot fitting easy. If you know how to heat mold a boot, this can be done at home, or your local Salomon shop can assist.These boots ski as well as any of the top line race boots, without shin bang or other issues. This is my second pair.

I bought the Salomon X3 130 CS boots downsized one full-size from my normal shoe size (26.5 to 25.5) for more of a performance fit. They will replace my aging downsized, custom-fit Nordica Dobermann Pro 130s-- both of which cracked on a very cold day after about 6 years (~45 days/year) of use. I haven't skied on them yet, so I can't comment on their on-mountain performance, but after reading some of the other reviews here, I thought that I might be able to provide some helpful information to prospective buyers, based on my trying them on about 3 times and examining them.

The shells seem to be constructed very well and are made of a hard plastic (not a soft plastic like you'll find on many transparent boots).

The liners seems to be VERY high quality with an imitation leather-like cuff and just the right amount of shock-absorbance in the shin. It seems to be the highest quality liner that I've ever had in the last 30+ years of skiing. They seem like they'd be of average warmth-- and certainly a lot warmer than my cold, sock-thin Dobermann liners.

Having put a Salomon X3 130 CS on one foot and a Dobermann Pro 130 on the other foot and flexing them, I'd say that they both felt equivalent in flex-- which is good if that's what you're looking for. I'm a 52-year-old 45-day-per-year, Squaw Valley pass holder who skis very aggressively almost exclusively on the steeps, whether bumped or not. I prefer that kind of stiff flex to control the skis-- though it's not for everybody as it can result in some shin bang.

The shells seems very durably constructed. There are Allen-wrench-adjustable canting adjustments at the ankles. The boots come with optional inserts (and bolts) for forward-camber, heel lifters, and (I think) forward-flex stiffeners. The buckles are very adjustable and easy to use. The Velcro shin strap has a strap-clamping spring-loaded "buckle" that is a bit harder to use than Velcro. However, based on the fact that I've owned a set nearly identical, perfectly-working roof-rack tie-down straps for 25 years, and based on the fact that the Velcro on my 6-year-old Nordica Dobermann boots barely sticks anymore, I can pretty much guarantee superior longevity of the Salomon straps.

Boots are a personal thing and a boot shape that works for one person's foot and calf shape, may not work well for another person's foot and calf shape. I have a pretty standard foot width & shape, with a calf-shape that is more ham-shaped than baseball-bat shaped. The following comments are therefore relative to my foot & calf shape.

Some reviewers complained that these boots are too tight around the calf-- and for me they were, but ONLY if you leave the buckles attached in their mid-range holes. The upper two pairs of buckles can be (unbolted) and moved to any of three sets of holes in the shell. By default they're in the middle set of holes-- which were too tight for my calves. Once I moved the buckles to the looser set of holes, the boot cuffs fit my calves nicely.

For the last 16 years or so, I've perennially gotten terrible toe-bang from my appropriately-sized Nordica Grand Prix boots and my downsized, custom-fit Dobermanns-- bruising if not losing my big toenails-- even though I've always had custom-orthotic foot beds. (I just tried on a pair of Nordica Girish Pros and had the same problem.) However, the Salomon X3 130 CS boots hold my foot so snugly in place that I can't really move my foot forward and jam my big toe into the shells. I'm really hopeful that my big toenails will remain pink this year.

Unlike any of the three aforementioned Nordica's I get no heel lift with the Salomon X3s. The heel pocket in the shell and liner work nicely to keep my foot secured snugly to the foot board. Should be nice.

The Salomon X3s are supposed to be heat moldable but I'm not sure that I'll bother since they already fit so well.

I'm not thrilled about the white color but it's not as bad as I thought, and they're kinda cool in a Star Wars stormtrooper sorta way. Anyway, for this kind of fit and quality, I can live with any color boot... except maybe pink.

It's always a roll of the dice buying boots online, but these fit perfectly out of the box. It helps that ski boots have a specific last size. Great boots, just a little cold in the frigid temps. compared to other ski boots.

This boot can be customized to buyer specifications which is highly desirable. It is very comfortable for a 130 flex boot. This is my third pair of Salomon boots, which seem to fit me well, and when I saw them on sale for such a low price, I couldn't pass them up!

I like the fit, feel and performance of the Salomon X3 CS boots so much that I have two pairs. 120s for cold winter temperatures and 130s, which were purchased later, for warm spring conditions when the plastics get softer. Also, evo service, the best.

Fantastic boot. I so wanted them to fit, but alas there was insufficient volume instep through ankle. A great deal on a great boot for "normal" feet. The search for a good high volume high end boot continues...

Use the boots for racing or high speed days. A strong boot with a nice stiff flex.

I need a wider toe box and the custom fit option on this boot works really well. I did need to take it into a local shop for heating and it cost me some extra, but once heated and formed it fits really well. A very comfortable boot.

MAinly for alpine use . These boots hold up well with my new big skis. Great in the deep . The 130 designation seems too stiff for the actual performance . I think these are more like 120s . The moldable panels worked great once the boot was cooked in the oven . I had the Evo boot specialist do this . I don't recommend trying this at home. Great deal for a high performance boot.Thanks EVO

These boots are fantastic. A great boot for the expert, aggressive all mountain skier. The boots are light weight and are very responsive. The Solomon Race Fit inner is very comfortable. The boots can also be customized at the shop for a more precise fit if necessary. They will require break-in, so prepare accordingly.

I use this boot to go all over the mountain. It's got a nice snug fit, and works well with my low-instep feet. I wear a size 11 running shoe and went with 28.5. It's a good length shell fit without excessive toe bang. Getting the boots heat molded is a must, they start super narrow in the forefoot but are awesome after molding. Put them in the oven for ten minutes at 100 C (wear gloves), then wear them around at the loosest buckle setting for four minutes. Finish by cooling them off with water or ice packs. Sturdy buckles and allover quality construction too. The toe and heel plates aren't replaceable, which might be a bummer for some people. The liner is thinner for a performance fit. If you have cold toes you might not be a big fan.

An excellent boot, extremely comfortable for a boot rated at 130 stiffness, make sure to break them in before you get to the lifts. Have a very long range of adjustability to make sure you are comfy.Only problem so far is that it takes some time to entry and exit the boots since they are so stiff.Overall is a great product!

This is a quality race boot. The custom shell really works, I have a 101mm last and these widened up from a 98. I use this boot for down hill and they provide excellent power control and you can really put your weight into the boots (Im 205 lbs).

After skiing in my Salomon Course 130mm shell for the last 10 years the time has come to get new paws. Fortunately for me the X-130 CS is almost an identical last only WAY better, narrower in the bottom and closer to the leg up top, same bomb proof buckle system and the linner is way easier to get yout foot in an out without dislocating your thumbs. I have flat feet, so the only adjustment I made was plug the heel wedge into the foot board and add my orthodics. These boots blew me way right out of the gate. Gates, moguls, pow, crud, put them through the gambit at Mammoth the past couple of days. If you looking for an all day every day top end performance boot that you won't lose tonenails over, this is it, they are so responsive I can rip on them with just the power strap ! the flex is identical to my old boots but smoother. I'm 6' 180lbs and I go the deal of the century from EVO !!!! Still pinching myself.